International Women's Day

March 8th, International Women's Day, is a day to celebrate women's political, economic, and social achievements and to raise our voices for the advancement of women's rights. Originating from the courage of women workers who protested against harsh working conditions in New York City, USA, in 1908, this day has now become a significant commemorative day that showcases the solidarity and strength of women worldwide.

Overview

● Date: March 8th every year

● Purpose: To commemorate women's political, economic, and social achievements and provide an opportunity to promote the advancement of women's rights.

● History: Began with a protest by American women workers in 1908.

● Current Status: Celebrated globally and contributes to the improvement of women's social status.

History

1) Early International Women's Day Events

● First celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland in 1911.

● Advocated for women's suffrage, the right to work, and the elimination of discrimination.

● Dedicated participation of Russian women workers (starting in 1913).

● Women's protests that significantly influenced the February Revolution in Russia in 1917.

2) Spread of International Women's Day

● The United Nations officially designated March 8th as 'International Women's Day' in 1975.

● Recommended that each country designate the day as a commemorative day based on its own history and traditions (UN General Assembly Resolution in 1977).

● Contributed to the expansion of women's political, economic, and social participation.

● Continuous efforts towards achieving gender equality.

3) Major Events

● 1913: Over 15,000 women workers in New York City, USA, protested for suffrage and better working conditions.

● 1971: The US Congress passed a law on equal pay for women.

● 1975: The United Nations declared 'International Women's Year'.

● 1981: The first female Member of Parliament elected in Kenya.

● 2006: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf elected as the first female President of Liberia.

Symbolic Colors

● Purple: Justice and Dignity

● Green: Hope

● White: Purity (debatable)

● History of Colors

○ Women workers used purple and green flags during the 1908 New York protest.

○ At the 1910 International Socialist Women's Conference, purple, green, and white were adopted as the symbolic colors of Women's Day.

○ Purple and green were actively used during the feminist movement in the 1970s.

Republic of Korea

● March 8th has been publicly celebrated as International Women's Day since 1985.

● Designated as a legal commemorative day for Women's Day in 2018.

● A day to raise awareness about women's realities and share a sense of concern about the issues.

● Various commemorative events are held (e.g., award ceremonies, forums, educational programs).

Commemorative Methods

● Participate in commemorative events: You can participate in various commemorative events to celebrate women's achievements and express your concern for women's rights issues.

● Utilize social media: You can share messages about Women's Day using hashtags like #IWD and #InternationalWomensDay to raise awareness about women's rights issues.

● Express gratitude to women around you: You can show your appreciation and respect to women around you, such as your mother, daughter, friend, or colleague, and cheer for the strength of women.

● Practice gender equality: You can practice the values of gender equality in your daily life and strive to eliminate discrimination and prejudice against women.